Pregame Notes: San Jose Earthquakes vs LA Galaxy

The San Jose Earthquakes and LA Galaxy renew their storied rivalry in one of the marquee events of the summer when the California rivals face off Saturday evening at Stanford Stadium. The Quakes return home off a two-game road swing that ended with a 1-0 loss at D.C. United last weekend. The Galaxy are coming off a 1-0 win against Chivas USA at StubHub Center that put an end to a three-game winless run.

The teams also met in the Western Conference Semifinals a season ago. The Quakes won the first leg 1-0 in Carson, but the Galaxy claimed the series with a 3-1 win at Buck Shaw Stadium, the club’s first win in northern California since 2008.

The Earthquakes have a seven-game league unbeaten streak alive at home against the Galaxy. The streak started Aug. 3, 2008, the second of the three meetings at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.

Along the course of their rivalry, the teams have played in six stadiums -- the Rose Bowl and Home Depot Center for Galaxy home games, and Spartan Stadium, Stanford Stadium, Oakland-Alameda Coliseum and Buck Shaw Stadium in Earthquakes home games.

In a touch of irony, Landon Donovan is almost the leader for each club against the other. Donovan leads the Galaxy with 7 goals and 5 assists in 12 games for LA vs. the Quakes. In 12 career games for San Jose vs. the Galaxy, Donovan had 4 goals -- one behind Ronald Cerritos, whose five leads all Quakes in California Clasicos.

LA GALAXY
The LA Galaxy put an end to their winless run after three games, defeating Chivas USA 1-0 in the second SuperClásico of the season at StubHub Center. The Galaxy are in fourth place in the Western Conference with 24 points from 16 matches.

Galaxy goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini was called upon to make just one save on the evening, turning away a Jose Manuel Rivera volley with a diving stop in the 29th minute.

Galaxy head coach Bruce Arena made two changes to the team that reached a scoreless draw with the Portland Timbers at StubHub Center. Omar Gonzalez came back from international duty and Marcelo Sarvas returned from suspension, in place of Tommy Meyer and Rafael Garcia.

The Galaxy put an end to a three-game winless run in league play with the victory against Chivas USA. Since it was considered a Chivas USA away game, the win also technically snapped the Galaxy’s three-game road losing streak.

“Possession-wise we dominated the game. I don't think we created too many chances for ourselves, and to be honest I still don't think we’re kind of near our peak yet,” said Robbie Keane. “I think were slowly, surely getting there, but as long as you keep getting results we know that it’s only a matter of time before we hit tip-top form.”

The Galaxy recorded a shutout for the second consecutive match and the third time in five games. They allowed eight goals in the two games in between.

“Getting two clean sheets on the week … just thought to get some players back together again and I’m not sure how many times this year we have had that group of players on the field,” said Arena. “I’m not totally satisfied with the week, but pleased to be able to get four points. Obviously wanted six, but we know we need to get better.”

With the return of Omar Gonzalez from national team duty, the Galaxy had their first-choice back four together for the first time since May 19.

“When you don't give up goals you’re going to win a lot of games. I think we’re getting back to our bread and butter, and that's keeping teams off the score sheet,” said left back Todd Dunivant. “ … We were right back in our old rhythm. We know where each other are, and I think we limited their chances again tonight. When you limit the chances you’re going to have a good chance of keeping them off the board.”

Gyasi Zardes made his fifth consecutive start and scored his second career goal. His first came May 11, in a substitute role vs. Vancouver.

“He's getting better,” Arena said. “Obviously, he can be a little bit better in front of the goal, has a few chances tonight, but certainly the goal was a real good one. A good effort on the night by Gyasi, and he's going to get better. His feet got to get a little bit better, he's got to be a little bit better with his touch in front of the goal.”

Said Landon Donovan: “Little things are starting to happen a little more slowly for him. He's not as hectic and rushed as he had been. His passing has gotten better. Initially, he was, I think, just focused on making some space for himself and getting a shot. Now his passing has gotten better, he's a little better holding the ball, so we've just got to keep moving him on.”

Keane made his eighth appearance of the season for the Galaxy, forming the strike partnership with Zardes for the second time (the first coming May 26 vs. Seattle).

“I thought he was very good,” said Keane. “He's very quick and very good in the air, as you seen today, so he's certainly grown the more games he plays. Scoring goals and playing a lot of minutes is certainly going to help him.”

SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES
The San Jose Earthquakes concluded their two-game road swing with a defeat, D.C. United ending their long winless run with a 1-0 victory on Saturday evening at RFK Stadium. The Quakes sit in eighth place in the Western Conference with 18 points from 17 matches.

LAST MATCH

United took the lead after winning a penalty after just 10 minutes. Defender Chris Korbo dribbled into the box and was tripped on an early tackle by defender Justin Morrow, and Chris Pontius converted the resulting spot kick, beating San Jose goalkeeper Jon Busch low and to his left.

United goalkeeper Bill Hamid was called upon to make three saves in keeping the shutout. He was beaten in the 73rd minute by forward Adam Jahn’s left-footed offering, but it banged off the far post.

Quakes interim head coach Mark Watson made three changes to the team that defeated the Colorado Rapids 2-1 at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park, Shea Salinas, Marvin Chavez and Adam Jahn all came into the team, in place of Chris Wondolowski, Walter Martinez and Steven Lenhart.

The Earthquakes lost for the first time with Mark Watson as head coach, in his second game in charge, in the defeat by D.C. United that ended a 13-game winless run for the host side.

“We can take away some good stuff. I thought our ball movement was good, and I thought we chose the right moments to attack the box. In the end [we were] unfortunate not to get something out of the game,” said Watson.

The Quakes were shut out at the attacking end for the seventh time this season, and for the third time in the last six games. They’ve scored just three goals in that span.

“We spoke about a couple of things at halftime in terms of how we thought we could get in to good areas to attack the box, and the players responded,” said Watson. “I thought we had a lot of good chances. I’ll have to go watch the video again to see everything. We had a lot of good chances tonight, and we’re feeling a little bit unfortunate that one didn’t sneak in.”

The Earthquakes were without Chris Wondolowski for the first time this season, after he suffered a foot contusion in training leading up to the United match. Wondolowski had been ever-present through the Quakes’ first 16 matches.

“Wondo’s a big part of our team and we depend a lot on him,” Quakes midfielder Rafael Baca said. “Spaces open up because Wondo’s a target. But I feel in this situation, someone has to step up. Someone has to be that leader. Someone has to have that hunger like Wondo has to score goals."

Said Watson: “I think he’s a big part of our leadership group. He’s the reigning MVP, the scoring champion, so he’s a big part of us. I think the players understand that, and when he’s not in the lineup, I think they want to do a little bit extra to make up for his absence.”

In addition, after making his first start since April 27, Steven Lenhart was available for the United match with inflammation in his right knee. Neither player was participating in full training at the start of the week ahead of the Galaxy match.

“I would like to have all our players available for every game,” Watson said. “Anytime that’s not the case, you’re concerned. When we don’t have Wondo and Lenny, we’re missing some of our best players.”

With Wondolowski out of the lineup, Shea Salinas returned to the starting lineup for the first time since May 8, playing the full 90 minutes on the right side of midfield.

“I thought Shea was great. Shea’s big strength is getting the ball and going at players one versus one and getting crosses in,” said Watson. “It’s something we spoke to him about and stressed before the game. I thought he did it very well and was very effective.”